New Roketa DB-08-250 in Missouri

[lprewitt]

Well, I just got back from purchasing a new 2016 Storm from a local dealer here in Missouri, St. Louis area. The dealer just received their order after waiting months. I had my pick of color and chose orange....$1895 out-the-door. The bike comes fully assembled and tested with all paperwork for titling. It is being setup now and I'll pick it up first thing tomorrow morning. The price is really not high considering that you get to inspect before you buy; no hassling with shipping; nothing to assemble; all paperwork completed; and the local dealer has a great reputation (good reviews and A+ BBB rating). Time will tell! Pics to follow. :yay:

[BARLOW]

nice, i love mine ... i did change carb, plug, and jets but everything else is stock and i have good luck so far

[culcune]

The price is really not high considering that you get to inspect before you buy; no hassling with shipping; nothing to assemble; all paperwork completed;

Do YOU still have to register the bike? Or does the dealer do that for you? Just wondering if I understood you correctly.

As far as price goes, I remember this past spring that one young lady came to the US to Utah from Israel, bought a Storm from a local dealer for a little less than what you paid, but it was a 2015 model, and she ended up road tripping from Utah to Brooklyn, NY on it with no problems. I do think for under $2k OTD all assembled and prepped (not sure if that includes registration or you have take care of it yourself as I asked above) you can't go wrong as far as China bikes go.

I am leaning towards the Brozz as I have a dealer friend who can get me one of those for slightly more than wholesale (he needs to make his profit). But I will have to assemble it, and take care of all the paperwork.

[lprewitt]

Do YOU still have to register the bike? Or does the dealer do that for you? Just wondering if I understood you correctly.

As far as price goes, I remember this past spring that one young lady came to the US to Utah from Israel, bought a Storm from a local dealer for a little less than what you paid, but it was a 2015 model, and she ended up road tripping from Utah to Brooklyn, NY on it with no problems. I do think for under $2k OTD all assembled and prepped (not sure if that includes registration or you have take care of it yourself as I asked above) you can't go wrong as far as China bikes go.

I am leaning towards the Brozz as I have a dealer friend who can get me one of those for slightly more than wholesale (he needs to make his profit). But I will have to assemble it, and take care of all the paperwork.

Yes. I still must register the bike and pay the taxes at the local DMV. So, the total price will be close to $2100. More than I wanted to pay but it's the bike I wanted. Looks like the odometer readings are the same....in Km instead of miles. It is listed on the invoice as a 2016. I've attached a pic of the 5 I had to choose from.

[Azhule]

Still can't wait to get a Storm 250 in the kiddos favorite color, will be a great bike for him in a couple years when he is tall enough for it :) , and I will have fun riding and modifying it until the day he takes it over ;)

It's great to hear they have 2016's in stock again, congrats on getting one

[2LZ]

Now we know where all the Storms went! ;-)
Congrats! If they were legal here, I'd have one in my rolling stock, no doubt.

[culcune]

Yes. I still must register the bike and pay the taxes at the local DMV.

Interesting that they let a retailer do that. Even here in AZ, from what I understand, a dealer has to be licensed as a dealer, and all the paperwork is taken care of by them, if an Arizona resident were to buy a vehicle from them, in state. Thanks for clarifying! And like 2LZ mentioned above--that appears to be the 'secret stash' of Storms which is keeping them out of everyone else's hands! :)

[culcune]

nice, i love mine ... i did change carb, plug, and jets but everything else is stock and i have good luck so far

Barlow--did you feel you needed to change the carb like most of the Hawk 250 owners, or was it just for the sake of improvement? In other words, was the stock carb fine, or were there shortcomings like the Hawk?

[lprewitt]

Interesting that they let a retailer do that. Even here in AZ, from what I understand, a dealer has to be licensed as a dealer, and all the paperwork is taken care of by them, if an Arizona resident were to buy a vehicle from them, in state. Thanks for clarifying! And like 2LZ mentioned above--that appears to be the 'secret stash' of Storms which is keeping them out of everyone else's hands! :)

Sorry 2LZ, I messed up that response. The dealer gives me the completed title application, the invoice and the MSO. They do not register it; I will do that at the DMV tomorrow morning.....pay my sales tax (ouch!). Sorry for the confusion.

[lprewitt]

Still getting the hang of the posting methods here....I'll repost this here...kinda messed up and posted in a wrong thread...Uggg!......

Well, I did not drive it home 35 miles in traffic....I thought I would play it safe and trailer it home. Probably was a good idea. It is now home and have put 10Km on it. Trying to break it in slowly with short rides...allowing it to warm up then cool back down before riding again and slowly lengthing the rides. Don't know if it helps but that is what I've have heard and seems logically; not allowing too much heat to build up while slowly loosening up the motor. Time will tell.

[motorcyclelove]

Nice lookin bike!

[lprewitt]

So, I will be taking this bike to Tucson, Arizona for a couple of months over the winter....the altitude is a lot higher than Missouri, obviously, (about 2400' vs 500'). I don't think I need to worry about rejetting for that....but some rides there take you above 7000 feet. Should I do anything to the carb or just live with the performance impact, if any. Any help would be appreciated.

My dealer said that leaving the stock carb unchanged may allow the bike to perform better since it will be running richer. He argues that the polution controls have the bike leaned out. Any comments?

[culcune]

This response is from what I remember about 10 years ago regarding Chinese bikes. Back then, one could fly in to China, and if you had a friend who lived there (i.e. someone from a motorcycle forum site like Horizons Unlimited) they could register a brand new, $1k bike in their name and loan it to you for a budget adventure. No license, either!

The point is, I remember some of the more adventurous types who bothered to post their road trip as marveling at how well the 150cc or 200cc enduro engine did at high elevation. These were stock bikes. And the reports were from different people on different tours at different times.

If you had a Hawk, I could see the benefit as based on numerous Hawk owners making a carb one of their first modifications seemingly out of necessity. On the Storm, I would wait to see how it does.

[Weldangrind]

So, I will be taking this bike to Tucson, Arizona for a couple of months over the winter....the altitude is a lot higher than Missouri, obviously, (about 2400' vs 500'). I don't think I need to worry about rejetting for that....but some rides there take you above 7000 feet. Should I do anything to the carb or just live with the performance impact, if any. Any help would be appreciated.

My dealer said that leaving the stock carb unchanged may allow the bike to perform better since it will be running richer. He argues that the polution controls have the bike leaned out. Any comments?

Try it as is in Tucson and see how it runs. If you can't get it to idle or you have lean spots in it, buy a Mikuni and install it. Jets are much easier to find for a Mikuni.

[lprewitt]

Thanks for the quick recommendations. That sounds like the way to go. I put about 80 miles on the bike today. Ran fine but it sure is tight...needing a breakin. The gearing is a little low for me....even for county road use. Ran it mostly at 30 to 40 mph. The vibration really comes in at about 45mph in 5th, 35mph in 4th....I'm guessing around 3000 to 3500 rpm. I suppose this is normal. Don't remember my Honda 200 being quite that buzzy. The engine sounds OK. I can hear the valve tappit tick....don't think the valves are adjusted too tight but will check them later after a few miles. I thought this bike would be less "buzzy" with the counter-balanced engine. Does this seem normal for a Storm?:hmm:

[culcune]

Vibrations will be greatly reduced when you decide on a good street sprocket setup. 17/45 is a good place to start. Hopefully the hub is the same as the '80 XL185 Honda like on the Hawk and TT250--numerous rear sprockets to choose from.

[motorcyclelove]

I'm pretty sure I read on here somewhere the storm comes with 17 50 sprockets. Barlow correct me if I'm wrong...

[lprewitt]

I think it is 17/46. Mine has "B46T" stamped on the rear sprocket. I did a search on this forum and did find that someone has recommended 17/43.

[Ariel Red Hunter]

Thanks for the quick recommendations. That sounds like the way to go. I put about 80 miles on the bike today. Ran fine but it sure is tight...needing a breakin. The gearing is a little low for me....even for county road use. Ran it mostly at 30 to 40 mph. The vibration really comes in at about 45mph in 5th, 35mph in 4th....I'm guessing around 3000 to 3500 rpm. I suppose this is normal. Don't remember my Honda 200 being quite that buzzy. The engine sounds OK. I can hear the valve tappit tick....don't think the valves are adjusted too tight but will check them later after a few miles. I thought this bike would be less "buzzy" with the counter-balanced engine. Does this seem normal for a Storm?:hmm:Make sure the motor mount bolts are good and tight. Loose motor mount bolts really make whatever vibration there is much worse.

[lprewitt]

Make sure the motor mount bolts are good and tight. Loose motor mount bolts really make whatever vibration there is much worse.

Thanks. I will definitely check that. Does anyone know the torque settings for those bolts. I sure wouldn't want to strip them.

[BlackBike]

Thanks. I will definitely check that. Does anyone know the torque settings for those bolts. I sure wouldn't want to strip them.

Grip up (or choak up as they say) on the ratchet drive and tighten hard. This won't allow you to tighten too much. Then give it another short turn farther out on the ratchet handle. No , not scientific and it you want specifics, ain't gonna happen. Is it close enough, you bet. This being said , if you are a arm wrestling champ, perhaps you should find a torque wrench with proper specs. :hi:
http://i4.cdnds.net/14/25/618x421/rexfeatures_3829669d.jpg

I think arh has alluded to a similar idea also.

[lprewitt]

I like it!! So, the engine mount bolts were "tight" but the little chrome heat should was only "snug".....1 1/2 turns more and most of the buzz is gone. :thanks:

[lprewitt]

The buzzy heat shield.


Should have looked there first. My old 1968 Honda 305 scrambler was notorious for that buzz with its heat shield.

[BlackBike]

Now go try on some dirt!

[BARLOW]

I'm pretty sure I read on here somewhere the storm comes with 17 50 sprockets. Barlow correct me if I'm wrong...

17/45 sprockets

[BARLOW]

Barlow--did you feel you needed to change the carb like most of the Hawk 250 owners, or was it just for the sake of improvement? In other words, was the stock carb fine, or were there shortcomings like the Hawk?it did seem to be lacking power with the stock carb, but it was still new ... it was also a bit harder to get started, and ran way to lean on the top end ... with the 40/115 it is now a tad rich, but i thought i would have a better pipe and filter already and planned ahead for that ... the bike leaves me a bit puzzled though, when you get up around 6500 rpm it just seems to stop pulling in 5th as if it lacking the power to pull ... the odd part (to me anyway), is that with or without my wife on it, it is the same :shrug:

[BlackBike]

17/45 sprockets

Mc.love... I had the 17/50 sprockets on the blaze bike, went to 43 rear but it kills top end (about same performance or worse) , I think it's too low for the hp. May get a 47 rear sprocket and quit

[ben2go]

it did seem to be lacking power with the stock carb, but it was still new ... it was also a bit harder to get started, and ran way to lean on the top end ... with the 40/115 it is now a tad rich, but i thought i would have a better pipe and filter already and planned ahead for that ... the bike leaves me a bit puzzled though, when you get up around 6500 rpm it just seems to stop pulling in 5th as if it lacking the power to pull ... the odd part (to me anyway), is that with or without my wife on it, it is the same :shrug:

The head and cam profile can't flow enough air to build top end power.These engines are like tractors,they make their best power down low and pull well off the line with good gearing.

[GeneralTso]

Well damn, I was feeling pretty good about ole Swamp Thing then had to come across this.... That thing is too damn purty!

7624

[BlackBike]

Well damn, I was feeling pretty good about ole Swamp Thing then had to come across this.... That thing is too damn purty!

7624

Sell the swamp, except order the brozz . Better yet, run the wheels off swamp and order a new rx4 with me in January 2018 :yay:

[motorcyclelove]

Thanks for the quick recommendations. That sounds like the way to go. I put about 80 miles on the bike today. Ran fine but it sure is tight...needing a breakin. The gearing is a little low for me....even for county road use. Ran it mostly at 30 to 40 mph. The vibration really comes in at about 45mph in 5th, 35mph in 4th....I'm guessing around 3000 to 3500 rpm. I suppose this is normal. Don't remember my Honda 200 being quite that buzzy. The engine sounds OK. I can hear the valve tappit tick....don't think the valves are adjusted too tight but will check them later after a few miles. I thought this bike would be less "buzzy" with the counter-balanced engine. Does this seem normal for a Storm?:hmm:

How is the bike doing now? Are you cruising at 55 comfortably with it stock?

[Mag00]

So, I will be taking this bike to Tucson, Arizona for a couple of months over the winter....the altitude is a lot higher than Missouri, obviously, (about 2400' vs 500'). I don't think I need to worry about rejetting for that....but some rides there take you above 7000 feet. Should I do anything to the carb or just live with the performance impact, if any. Any help would be appreciated.

My dealer said that leaving the stock carb unchanged may allow the bike to perform better since it will be running richer. He argues that the polution controls have the bike leaned out. Any comments?

Congrats on the Storm. Love the orange. I also own a Storm, and live in Tucson. I have gone up Mount Lemon road and no issues at all. Over 8k altitude.

I put a smaller rear sprocket on it. My last outing was about 150 miles, lots of tar and a fair amount of dirt, and the bike gave no issues at all.


When you get here, drop me a line.

Dave

[lprewitt]

Congrats on the Storm. Love the orange. I also own a Storm, and live in Tucson. I have gone up Mount Lemon road and no issues at all. Over 8k altitude.

I put a smaller rear sprocket on it. My last outing was about 150 miles, lots of tar and a fair amount of dirt, and the bike gave no issues at all.


When you get here, drop me a line.

Dave

That's good to hear, Dave. Sounds like i don't have to worry about the carb....at least not for altitude. I just changed the oil at 300 miles. I need to check the valve clearance. I hear no tappit tick at all which leads me to think they are too tight. After the oil change, I had the bike to 60 for about 10 seconds with some throttle left. Mostly just riding the county roads at 35-40mph trying to get more miles on it before we leave for Tucson in January.

[lprewitt]

How is the bike doing now? Are you cruising at 55 comfortably with it stock?

Not cruising at 55 yet. Still need to get more break in miles on it before I do any sustained highway speeds.

[lprewitt]

Adjusted the valves today at 400 miles. As expected, they were tight. Absolutely no clearance. After adjustment( .04mm intake, .05mm exhaust), the bike seemed to start better and idle better when cold.

[lprewitt]

Can anyone recommend a good source for the air filters? Don't need to change mine now but would like to have one on hand.

[Ariel Red Hunter]

Can anyone recommend a good source for the air filters? Don't need to change mine now but would like to have one on hand.I think if you measure where the paper element air cleaner goes, you may be able to find a K&N square filter to go in there. Otherwise, you can cut down a car air filter element to fit.

[hertz9753]

http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?prod=33-2238

That's what some of us put in our Hawks. I used rubber weather stripping on the retainer to seal it down because the lip on the filter is not as high as the stock one.

[lprewitt]

Thanks Red and hertz9753 for the great info.

[lprewitt]

Just arrived in sunny Arizona. Here for a couple of months to get away from the cold midwest winter. Nice 70 degree day today. Pulled a 28 foot Jayco travel trailer with my Storm loaded in the bed of the truck. 1500 miles....but could have done without the headwinds of New Mexico and Southwest Texas. Looking forward to some nice riding weather.

[lprewitt]

The load......

[BlackBike]

Something that shiny and new would make me want to cable lock it to one of those bumpers,...but that's just me. ;)

Ps, what a nice setup, you are gonna really enjoy yourself ! Thanks for sharing

[lprewitt]

Something that shiny and new would make me want to cable lock it to one of those bumpers,...but that's just me. ;)

Ps, what a nice setup, you are gonna really enjoy yourself ! Thanks for sharing

Thx. You're right, gonna secure the bike when left unattended. Best not to feed someone's temptation.

[hertz9753]

Can that pickup pull Arizona up north?

[2LZ]

Nice setup!...and I really like the Storms. They're pretty illusive these days. I think the Brozz and the Shark basically replaced it but they have rear drums.

[culcune]

Where in AZ are you?